(Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for DirecTV)
Formed in 1999 in Stillwater, Oklahoma by high school friends Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler, the All-American Rejects have been a force in the industry since releasing their self titled debut album in 2003.
The alt-rock band’s current lineup includes Ritter, Wheeler, Mike Kennerty and Chris Gaylor. Tyson Ritter is the band’s Swiss Army knife, the jack of all trades. He triples as the band’s lead vocalist, pianist and bass guitarist. Co-founder Nick Wheeler plays lead guitar and backing vocals, Kennerty serves as the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist, and Chris Gaylor is on the drums.
The All-American Rejects album hit shelves on October 15, 2002 through Doghouse Records. However, it was re-released commercially by Dreamworks Records in 2003. Led by the success of the hit single “Swing Swing,” the band’s debut album was certified platinum by the RIAA.
(Album Cover)
Often times when band’s achieve success at a young age, especially when it’s their first album that goes platinum, the second effort normally struggles to live up to expectations. Just for clarification purposes, Ritter was only 18 when their debut album was released. That’s a lot of pressure for a kid so young. But The All-American Rejects laid a solid foundation for future triumph, and the band’s second album Move Along (2005), brought the band even more mainstream success.
Move Along produced three hit singles; “It Ends Tonight,” ”Dirty Little Secret” and “Move Along,” all of which charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Both “Move Along” and “Dirty Little Secret” sold over two million digital downloads in the US, paving the way for double platinum certification by the RIAA.
The band’s third album, 2008′s When the World Comes Down, was released in December of that year. The album’s lead single “Gives You Hell” peaked at #4 on the Hot 100 chart and became the Rejects’ first international hit. The album was certified gold by the RIAA.
The band’s fourth studio album Kids in the Street released worldwide on March 26, 2012. They are currently touring in support of the album. Since the start of their career, The All-American Rejects have sold over 10 million albums worldwide.
Did you know?
Frontman Tyson Ritter is not only a world class musician, he’s also dabbled in the acting world. He appeared on the TV show House M.D. in the episode “Fetal Position,” which aired on April 3, 2007. Ritter also made an appearance with his other band members in television series Smallville. Ritter’s most recent acting endeavor landed him a role in his first film, 2008′s The House Bunny.
